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Your senior year is one that you will never forget. You’re looking forward to your future beyond high school and becoming nostalgic for everything that will eventually be left behind. It’s an exciting, emotional year, and one thing is for certain: You’ll want to make the most of it.  

While every school has its own set of traditions, they’re all aimed at celebrating seniors, leaving them with lasting memories. Here’s our senior year bucket list, featuring some of the most popular traditions for high school seniors and tips for making this your best year yet. 

Back to School

Jumping into a new year is always exciting, especially when you’re the school’s top dog! Since you already know the campus front and back, and you’ve likely found your place in school after these three short years, there’s a lot to look forward to as you begin your new year. 

Style Yourself: The best way to get you hyped up to go back to school is to put together your fall wardrobe. From autumn staples like jeans, tees, and sweaters to statement pieces like dressy tops, fall boots, or printed scarves, the new school year is a perfect chance to get creative and show off your personal style.

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Get Organized: Stores are quickly rolling out their fall inventory, and school supplies are no exception. Make sure to get all of your supplies early, so that you can relax and enjoy summer’s last days. And hey, while you’re shopping, it doesn’t hurt to take a peek at the college stuff. Why not get hyped up for decorating your dorm room next year?

Capture the Memories: After long years of being an underclassman, you and your friends have finally reached the top and are ready to take on your senior year. You’ll want to make sure you are capturing all of these final high school moments. Be liberal with your smartphone and take pictures of anything you don’t want to forget: first day of school outfits, you and your favorite teachers, and even your favorite lunch spot are all fair game. 

Spirit Week

We’ll just say it: spirit week has to be one of the most exciting parts of the new school year. It’s a great way to kick off senior year with enthusiastic energy, and maybe even bond with some lower classmen. 

Take Advantage of Dressing Up: Many schools celebrate spirit week with themed dress up days, competitions between grade levels, and even a parade. It may seem silly or elementary to dress up, but it’s a great way to show off your personality and create some great memories before graduating. Plus, there are tons of ways to dress up while still showing off your personal style. 

Root for your Team: Whether you are division one champs, or it often feels like your team has never touched a football in their lives, your homecoming football game is always a blast. Get your friends together, prepare to bundle up for the cold, and cheer on your high school’s football team. Even if sports aren’t really your thing, it’s a great way to support your school and enjoy those last-year memories. 

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Enjoy the Best Part of Homecoming: The Dance! Finishing off spirit week, the homecoming dance is one of the most highly anticipated parts of starting your senior year. It’s a chance to make a lasting impression while having an extraordinary night.  

Choosing the perfect dress, getting ready with friends, and taking pictures create lifelong memories in and of themselves, all while leading up to the main event. From a fun theme to great music to spending time with your class, your senior homecoming is meant to be cherished. So soak up every minute! 

Spirit week can be an opportunity for seniors to go all-out when it comes to costumes and competitions. It’s a great way for the grade to bond, make memories together, and have a fantastic time during their final spirit week. The well-matched football game on a crisp autumn night and the excitement for the homecoming dance are well suited to finish off this high school tradition. 

Senior Pictures

Taking senior portraits is another important step in your final high school year. Senior photos are often featured in the yearbook along with senior quotes, another fun and time-honored tradition letting seniors leave their mark on the school. 

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Style your Shoot: Compared to normal school photos, senior pictures are usually a little bit more upscale. Whether they involve a full on black gown and an elegant composition, or simply a nicer backdrop and better editing, senior photos are a great way to capture and remember your final year. Make sure to choose a photo that reflects your time at the school as well as your thoughts for the future. 

Get Involved: In addition, schools often take tons of group pictures to commemorate the graduating class, which can be a great way to look back and see you and all your peers together. Make it your mission to show up to as many group photos as possible. Your yearbook is a physical way to look back on the memories you made throughout your time in high school–and be remembered years later by others!

Prom

Prom, of course, is a magical moment in anyone’s senior experience–and a key item on your senior year bucket list! Students all over the country look forward to prom throughout their high school years. 

Plan the Big Night: Planning your prom style is a must for this exciting night. Usually, prom is a chance to wear a more formal dress compared to more casual dances like homecoming. It’s a good idea to choose a prom dress in advance, so you can be prepared when the dance comes. Then, you can combine your hairstyle, nails, shoes, and accessories to show off your stunning personal style on your big night. 

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Have Fun: With your outfit planned, you’re ready to have a blast at your prom and make the most of this long standing tradition. Enjoy this time with your friends, make unforgettable memories together, and dance the night away. 

Graduation

Before you know it, your senior year will come down to a culminating moment: graduation. As you walk across the stage in your cap and gown and receive your diploma, you get to celebrate your entire school career. The final tradition of senior year, graduation is a time your class can come together and remember throughout your lives. 

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Senior year traditions can be fun, exciting, and inspiring. Take every occasion as an opportunity to add to your high school memories and make the most of your year. 

We want to see your senior year bucket list looks! Show us your back-to-school outfits on Instagram @lulus using #lovelulus–and head to our Fall Fashion shop for more!